Remote control for collapsible towers

ABSTRACT

A MAST CONSISTING OF TWO OR MORE TELESCOPING TUBES STANDS VERTICALLY AND IS GUYED WITH CABLES. A HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC SYSTEM RAISES AND LOWERS THE MAST, WINCHES WITH SLIP CLUTCHES BEING USED TO PLAY OUT THE GUYS. A VERTICAL LASER BEAM CENTERED IN THE MAST SIGNALS THE OPERATOR WHEN THE MAST TILTS OFF THE VERTICAL.

Sept. 21, 1971 5 3,606,713

I REMOTE CONTROL FOR COLLAPSIBLE TOWERS Filed Oct. 24, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

i F/ a. 2

FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

EAR/VEST M. RU/VOU/ST ATTORNEYS Sept. 21, 1971 E M. RUNQUIST REMOTE CONTROL FOR COLLAPSIBLE TOWERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 24. 1969 "I I l I I I l I I l I l I I l I l I I FIG. 4

27 I i SHORE STATIO INVI NTOR EAR/VEST M. RUNOU/ST BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,606,713 Patented Sept. 21, 1971 3,606,713 REMOTE CONTROL FOR COLLAPSIBLE TOWERS Ernest M. Runquist, San Diego, Calif., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Oct. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 869,031 Int. Cl. E04h 12/18, 12/34 US. Cl. 52-115 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mast consisting of two or more telescoping tubes stands vertically and is guyed with cables. A hydraulic or pneumatic system raises and lowers the mast, winches with slip clutches being used to play out the guys. A vertical laser beam centered in the mast signals the operator when the mast tilts off the vertical.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ideally, radiating or receiving radio antennas or underwater transducers are well elevated while in use but are lowered when not in use for minimizing the chance of collision with overhead ships or planes. The platform or other structure for carrying the transducers may be quite heavy and should be operable remotely. It is particularly important that the platform remain level when the transducers are to form narrow sharply defined beams.

STATEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is to remotely elevate a supporting tower for radiating and receiving transducers and/or antenna while at the same time maintaining the platform in an accurately controlled position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A hydraulically or pneumatically operated telescoping mast is mounted approximately vertically with the large end on the ground or ocean floor. The upper end of the mast is connected to three or more guy wires which are played out over a capstan with a slip clutch drive. A laser beam or other collimated light source is permanently anchored to the base and is accurately aimed vertically along the center of the hollow mast. Three or more light sensitive cells at the upper end will be selectively illuminated if the mast tilts from the vertical. Each cell is connected through a relay circuit to the remote operator usually at a shore station connected to the tower by submarine cables. With the information at hand the operator can remotely and selectively control the motor driven capstans to bring the mast back to true vertical.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the specific embodiment described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a line diagram showing in elevation the principal parts of the collapsible tower of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a line diagram showing a plan view of the tower of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of guy cable drive and reel mechanism for the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of the signalling and control circuits of the collapsible mast of FIG. 1.

The particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows hydrophones 15 although antenna structures could be substituted in case the system was to be operated on land. Radial arms 14 support the hydrophones on the upper end of the mast structure 10. The lower end of the mast rests upon the concrete block 11.

The mast comprises two or more telescopic tubular sections of sufficient length and number to raise the hydrophone platform to the desired operating height. The mast is lowered, elevated, or intermediate positions is held steady by guy wires 12 played out or taken up by the capstan 18 and the take-up reel 16.

The light source 20 is also supported upon the foundation block 11 and is adapted to project a well collimated pencil-like light beam vertically to the upper end of the mast. At the upper end the beam impinges upon one of the photocells 22 or 23. The electric signal generated by photo-sensitive materials in the quarter segments 22 indicates the direction in which the mast may be tilted. When the mast is vertical the cell 23 is illuminated indicating that the mast is standing on center.

FIG. 3 shows one winch arrangement for playing out the guys. It will be perceived that as the mast telescopes upwardly the guys must play out, all guys remaining under substantially constant tension. Conveniently, the motor 18 could drive a small capstan through a slip clutch, not shown in detail, the tension of which can be adjusted for any desired pull on the guy 12. Except for two or three turns of cable on the capstan, the cable is stored on the take-up reel 16.

FIG. 4 shows one wiring diagram of the signal and control circuits for operating the remote collapsible mast shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The photocells 22 and 23 of the selenium variety are usually of quite high electrical impedance and are coupled through coupling resistors 25 to 26. The collimated or laser beam impinging upon any of the cells 22 or 23 will produce an amplified output at the terminal of the connected amplifier 26 and through cable 27 will illuminate selectively one or more of the lights 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D, and 28E. The lights 28A28D are preferably colored red while light 28E is green, and all are mounted on a board in the approximate geometric position of the cells in the remote mast. Adjacent each red light is a normally open switch 29A, 29B, 29C, and 29D. Closing the switch adjacent the lighted red light operates the appropriate motor 18 to pull on the appropriate guy wire for tilting the mask in the direction to remove the illuminated cell 22 from the path of the light beam. When none of the cells 22 are energized, the center cell 23 must be illuminated and all red lights go out and the green light 28E is turned on. This indicates to the operator that the mast is standing vertically.

The up and down motion of the mast may also be remotely controlled. As shown in FIG. 4, the motor 30 drives the compressor 31. The motor 30 is controlled by the up-down switch 33 for supplying more or less air or hydraulic fluid to the interior of the telescopic mast 10. The motor control signal lights 28 and switches 29 and 33 are preferably mounted on a control panel at the remote station and all electrical and hose connections are designed for submarine use.

In use, the operator raises the mast by switch 33 and at the desired elevation proceeds to correct any tilt that may occur. The operating position for the mast may be immediately under a ship moved into position for exercising and calibrating the ships directional transducer array. When the tower operation is finished it is lowered to its bottom position to clear any overhead trafiic.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the 4 scope of the appended claim the invention may be praca plurality of switches each switch being identified with ticed otherwise than as specifically described. one of said lamps; and 7 What is claimed is: a circuit between each switch and the motor of one of 1. A collapsible tower comprising: said capstans for correcting any indicated tilt in said a mast disposed in an upright position and having a plumast.

rality of telescoping tubular sections; References Cited mesirsi (11); propelling upwardly and downwardly said UNITED STATES PATENTS a plurality of capstans spaced from and about the base ,7 3/ 1933 Bonnett 52-118 Of said mast, a line extending from the upper portion 3,021,749 2/1962 Mellen 356-172 of the mast to each capstan, a motor driving each 3,203,141 8/1965 M11886! capstan, for playing out and keeping taut the lines 3,248,831 9 J nes nun- 52-121 as the mast changes height; 3,284,972 11/1966 Werner 52118 a source of collimated light fixed in the lower end of 82,754 5/1968 Lunden 356-172 said mast and projecting upwardly a steady pencil- 15 ,1 4/1969 Zagone 250203 like beam; 3,482,103 12/1969 Martlnsen 250203 an array of side-by-side light sensitive cells at the upper FOREIGN PATENTS end of said mast and adapted to be selectively illu- 1,279,299 1961 France 52121 minated by said beam as the upper end of said mast 1,027,451 1966 Great Britain 250 203 moves laterally,

a Plurahty at a remote HENRY c. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner means responsive to the signals at the termmals of said light sensitive cells for lighting, respectively, difierent 5 CL X R ones sald remme lamps; 3346AT; 52 1, 118, 173; 2s0 203; 356-152 

